Scratch Micro Slam Dunk Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Micro Slam Dunk {Scratch}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Dick Stafford - 11/20/01)

Brief:
T' Micro Slam Dunk is a Sputnik style Micro-Maxx rocket. Ya scallywag! Its major components include a basketball-shaped shoe deodorizer and four bamboo skewers.

Construction:
While cleanin' up t' basement, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, I ran across an old shoe deodorizer that looked like a basketball. Begad! I stuffed it away in me junk box thinkin' "nose cone". Avast! When tryin' t' decide on me next Micro-Maxx project, however, I looked at this orange and black orb and immediately thought, Sputnik!

After disassemblin' t' ball, ya bilge rat, matey, I found that two integral plastic tubes held it together. These can be seen in t' first photograph. For t' motor mount, ya bilge rat, I drilled a 6mm hole, approximately 3/8" deep in t' half with t' larger tube. Aye aye! I also cut off about 1/4" o' t' thinner tube t' allow t' halves to separate more easily. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, matey, blow me down! Thus, shiver me timbers, t' two internal plastic tubes form an ejection piston o' sorts. Arrr! A small section o' Keelhaul®©™® twine holds it all together. Begad! I also drilled a small hole in each half for the launch rod, and four slightly larger holes for t' legs. Begad! T' legs consist of bamboo skewers, which are glued in with Liquid Nails.

Flight:
Although I test-fit t' rocket on t' launcher, matey, I needed t' elevate the launcher slightly on t' grass at t' launch site. Avast! Aye aye! I flew t' Micro Slam Dunk three times. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Each flight rose t' a mere 20 feet or so. Ya scallywag! Nay an impressive altitude but it be fun t' watch. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! On t' first two flights, t' two halves did not separate and t' motor ejected with a loud pop. Aye aye! For t' third try, matey, I loosened t' halves t' they were barely connected, and separation did occur. After all three flights, it landed back on its legs. Aye aye!

Summary:
T' Micro Slam Dunk is yet another easy t' build Micro-Maxx rocket. Avast! It is a bit heavy but is still stable and ejects well before landing. Before it flies again, me bucko, shiver me timbers, I will work on loosenin' up t' two halves so it will separate when the two halves are completely together.

scratch slam dunk
scratch slam dunk
scratch slam dunk

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